Tyristian

MMO's are suppose to be for group play. Now I won't tell you how to play, that's your choice. But grinding for hours and hours, or getting a small group together to do an instance (which will probably have higher drop rates, because it requires a group of equally leveled and geared players to the instance) sounds like a no brainier to me. Not the customization I am talking about. World of Warcraft allows players to choose how they want their interface to look. Take for instance these next two screen shots (that I took myself). The first is the standard interface, nothing special about it but it gets the job done, like the RO original interface. Now the second is what you are able to do through heavy customization. Now I am in no way saying, let us completely redo the interface. That's expecting too much. But at least some customization would be greatly appreciated. If you can just see how much customization helps you'd understand why it is a needed change. As for character names... are you serious? We have to use that tiny little window for our entire party? No thanks. Give us something to work with. That party window should be nothing more than a placeholder if anything. And this is why Blizzard does so well. World of Warcrafts graphics are beautiful, but they're far from the best. You thoroughly explained why Blizzard has been so successful, so I'll just say great job.

Exactly my point, thank you. EDIT: I did manage to find the planned viewing of players equipment http://ro.doddlercon.com/wiki/index.php?title=Episode_12, now you can choose to keep your equipment hidden, but that doesn't change the fact they're indeed changing it so you can. I also want to add on about Blizzard expanding. They are currently making a Next-Gen MMO, which will probably utterly destroy RO, and maybe other famous MMO's. This is pure speculation but I think it's a safe bet.

The reason Gravity is changing to be more like World of Warcraft is because.... it's been so successful. Right now Gravity is in a tough spot, since Blizzard is expanding its global market. If Gravity does not make major changes they will not be able to keep the game up. This is fact. I agree with you kinda. I speak from experience from playing games with voices, it's annoying at times. They can though, just add different voices for each class. Voice acting in Asian games > American games... that's all I'll say about that. And if you're so against it... turn character voices off. Almost all games nowadays allow you to do this, RO would be no different. About your argument about imagination, doesn't being able to visually see your character make that argument null? The main reason they didn't add this is because the engine simply wouldn't allow it. It's too much customization for isometric graphics. Not because they choose not to, look at RO2, they added all that and more. If they updated the engine and switched to Cell-shaded graphics they could very easily do it in RO as well. This game has only cookie cutter builds. There's nothing unique about character builds, why is that? Because players either auto attack or use one or two skills/spells. And correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't there a planned update to be able to view players equipment in one of the next patches? If I am indeed remembering that right, then there goes that idea. Oh, and this game is suppose to be all 'cute' and stuff. Hence the anime styled graphics.

Please tell me this is a joke post? Ragnarok Online... setting the standard for what? I think you meant Everquest. I've always said this, but this game has potential to be one of the best MMO's around, if they would just update it. I'll even make a list of changes that would attract new players, and maybe even some old ones. Players who have tried World of Warcraft will recognize many of these much needed changes. Mechanic Changes: * Better PVE content, especially End-game - This game lacks PVE content altogether. Add quests that tell the story, since there's no story make one. Grinding gets old real fast. * Make all current dungeons into instances or raids for a set amount of players (5-25man, depending on difficulty) - Makes the field even for everyone, also makes it so players can choose to do content at their own pace. Trust me, you'll enjoy instances and raids that actually require coordination. * Fix mobs for Pete's sake. The new trend with RO has been it has to attack faster, and stronger than the previous mobs. Talk about lackluster. Add fights that are distinguished and require coordination to successfully down. * Balance PVP on 3v3~ and not 1vs1 - Currently most classes have a counter to every class in the game and those that don't aren't played, it needs to stop. Every class should have its strengths and weaknesses. * Completely reworked classes - This change is needed, especially for overpowered classes. The change currently planned for most skills to be based off weapon damage rather than strength is huge step towards balance in classes. I'd also like to suggest something that may be taboo for any RO player: Cooldowns. It is needed and you all know it. * Completely reworked stat and skill mechanics - Spell Haste > Dex. Spells getting a set cast time is a good start. Now make it so melee will only 'push-back' spells and interrupt spells with some sort of interrupt skill or stun. There ya go! Balance. Cosmetic Changes: * The interface needs a complete overhaul, enough said. There's nothing customizable about the interface, and it's features are severely lacking. Add a party window that actually helps distinguish players. There's tons more stuff you could add as well. * Update the engine and the graphics. I'm not saying make it look like World of Warcraft, Lineage 2, or Guild Wars; what I mean is make the graphics smoother, add small details like shadows, environment effects, and make characters cell-shaded instead of isometric. If this is added you can also add more character customization. * More character customization. If you've kept up-to-date with modern MMO's you'll see many different things; voices, emotions, dances, different clothes, etc. What does RO have...? Headgear! Yeah, no need to explain further. I can go on and on, but you probably get the idea by now.